The makers of an educational DVD that aims to raise awareness of homophobia in football have expressed their frustration at not being able to secure the support of a gay Premier League player they asked to take part in the film.

In the 13 years since Justin Fashanu killed himself, having become the UK's first openly gay footballer in 1990, no player has followed in his footsteps and come out. But Ged Grebby, chief executive of the Show Racism the Red Card, claims to know of "several gay Premier League players" and had hoped that one would appear in Homophobia: Let's Tackle It!

"We approached him through a third party and felt quite confident of getting him involved [in the DVD]. But he ultimately refused. There is a log jam in regards to this issue, a final taboo which, in the short term at least, does not appear close to breaking. We're certainly not going to out anyone against their will but, at the same time, getting gay footballers involved would make a big difference in tackling this issue."

Grebby's frustration extends to being unable even to get recognisable, straight Premier League players involved in Show Racism's film, a problem that has also been faced by the Football Association. Last year, the governing body had to cancel its campaign video against homophobia after the high-profile players they had hoped would front the film refused to take part. This led to the production of a more generic video, which has appeared on YouTube. "We have a dedicated plan for tackling homophobia and continue to work with a range of bodies in making the game accessible to everyone," an FA spokesman said.

One of those bodies is the Professional Footballers' Association and, defending the refusal of its members to take part in the FA's film, the PFA chief executive, Gordon Taylor, suggested that post-Fashanu, and despite its increasingly diverse nature, British football remains too hostile a territory for players to even associate themselves with homosexuality. "It would be unfair to ask an individual to back a campaign like this in case they got targeted by crowds," Taylor said. "It's a macho environment and we believe the time would be more appropriate when crowds are more civilised."

Grebby said: "Homophobic chanting undoubtedly remains a major issue at grounds across this country. I've heard mums and dads shouting while their kids are sat next to them. It's shocking and it would require a brave player, gay or straight, who has put up with that to speak out. But we're not going to truly resolve this issue until someone does just that."

Show Racism's film, which will be distributed to schools nationwide this year with the aim of raising awareness of the issue and encouraging more players to come out, contains testimonies from openly gay sportsmen such as the former Wales rugby union captain Gareth Thomas and the Irish hurler Donal Cusack. It also features prominent figures from British football, such as the Scotland manager, Craig Levein, Charlton's Chris Powell, as well as the Burnley and Millwall defenders Clarke Carlisle and Darren Purse. Their message, just like that of Thomas and Cusack, is clear: homosexuality is nothing to be ashamed of. "I'd fully support any [homosexual player] at my club," Powell says in the film. "It's a part of life and everyone involved in our sport – players, staff and supporters – should recognise that."

Homophobia: Let's Tackle It! has received the support of the Justin Campaign, the organisation named after the forward which has since 2008 – a decade after his death – fought to raise awareness of homophobia in football. For its co-founder, Paul Windsor, a key element of the film is the testimony of Anton Hysen, the son of the former Liverpool and Sweden defender Glenn, who came out in March. The 20-year-old plays for the Swedish fourth division side Utsiktens BK and says he "couldn't care less" about people's negative reaction to his sexuality.

For more information about Show Racism the Red Card visit: www.srtrc.org

Out and proud

Only a few gay British sportsmen have declared their sexuality openly

Justin Fashanu Fashanu remains the highest profile footballer in Britain to have been openly gay. He received little support from fellow players and took his own life in 1998

Gareth Thomas Rumours had circulated about Thomas's sexuality before the Welsh rugby international outed himself in 2009. "I don't want to be known as a gay rugby player. I am a rugby player, first and foremost I am a man," he said at the time

John Amaechi Amaechi is one of the few Britons to have played in the NBA. He broke another boundary when he announced he was gay in 2007, four years after his retirement from basketball